The new building for Aalto University's School of Arts, Design and Architecture, Väre, will be completed soon. Whilst preparing for the move to new premises, Aalto University announced two public art competitions: an invited art competition for two cluster spaces inside Väre and a for a student art work competition for a wall outside the Väre building.

"Our aim here at Aalto University is to create a vibrant environment for experiencing the world through various perspectives. Public art plays a crucial role in making this possible both for students, faculty members and visitors. I hope that the two art competitions will provide artworks that encourage everyone to enjoy art and let it expand their thinking and imagination," says Anna Valtonen, Vice President for Art and Creative Practices at Aalto University.

Väre cluster art competition

The invited art competition seeks to find exceptional and feasible proposals for artworks to be situated in two cluster areas inside Väre. Five artists or artist groups were invited for the competition: Kirsi Kaulanen, Petteri Nisunen & Tommi Grönlund, Nithikul Nimkulrat, Deepa Panchamia and Vesa-Pekka Rannikko. The competitors may suggest art works to either one or two clusters. The competition results will be published 3 May 2018.

Väre student art competition

The student art competition seeks to find ideas for an art work for the 70-meter-long wall outside Väre. This competition is open to all students at Aalto University. Aalto University is looking for "never-seen- before" proposals for a semi-permanent art work for an outside wall outside Väre building.

The site exists outside of the building and will be visible for both to the School of Arts, Design and Architecture and to the School of Business. The competition website includes the competition guidelines as well as instructions for partipants. Successful proposals to both competitions will follow the art concept of Väre and the vision of public art at Aalto University.

Väre “Global equality” art concept

One of the main ideas for displaying art at Väre is to provide art works that create a durable and exciting environment, while leaving enough space for temporary exhibitions and events. The concept of “Global equality” emphasizes first the global aspect of the arts, which has increased in recent decades.

Secondly, the concept puts weight on the Finnish democratic value of equality, which provides visibility to difference and highlights its acceptance. Väre art concept was co-created by Aalto University’s Art Coordinator Outi Turpeinen with the faculty and students of School of Arts, Design and Architecture.

The architecture of the Väre building is by Verstas Architects. Image: Aalto University Communications Services.

The vision of public art at Aalto University

In 2017, Aalto University decided to comply with a one per cent art principle in its building projects. The art percent is a funding model for art purchases, where approximately one per cent of a building project's funds are allocated to art purchases. The one per cent art principle was first applied to Radical Nature art concept in Aalto University’s main building Dipoli.

The vision of public art at Aalto University is to address and raise questions about what it is to be a university, what we do together in society, and what constitutes the public. Public art is site-specific and connects with the diversity of the university and its post-disciplinary communities. Public artworks reflect this diversity through different art forms, materials, techniques and traditions.

Väre opening ceremony is part of Aalto Day One event on 5 September 2018. The architecture of the Väre building is by Verstas Architects.